Table cover for outdoor use



Oct. 18, 1966 s. KEsH 3,279,515

TABLE COVER FOR OUTDOOR USE Filed June 29, 1964 //VVE/V7'0/\ SEROZ/IV K5519 ay- W United States Patent 3,279,515 TABLE COVER FOR OUTDOOR USE Seroun Kesh, 18982 Ardmore, Detroit, Mich. Filed June 29, 1964, Ser. No. 378,710 2 Claims. (Cl. 15052) This invention relates to out of doors paraphernalia and has particular reference to a cover for a picnic table and the like.

An object of the invention is to provide a plastic cover for a picnic table which may be employed instead of the conventional tablecloth.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cover for a picnic table which will Withstand the vicissitudes of outdoor eating, and one which may be washed after an outdoor meal while remaining on the table.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character indicated, which is decorated with original art work which establishes a motif, such as that of boating, motoring, horseback riding, or children at play.

Another object of the invention is to provide a covering for a picnic table, with matched coverings of reduced size for the picnic table benches, all of which can be merchandised in matched sets.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character indicated, which is constructed with novel means for maintaining the device on the table.

Another object of the invention is to provide a plastic cover for an out of doors table, such as a metallic umbrella table, with means for securing the cover against displacement.

Another object of the invention is to generally improve table covers, and to provide a device of the character indicated which is simple in construction, economical to manufacture, and has a high degree of utility.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent as the description proceeds, reference being made from time to time to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the within disclosure, in which drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional picnic table and benches equipped with a device embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan View of the picnic table shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a circular, metal, umbrella table, with the umbrella removed, and equipped with a device embodying the invention.

FIG. 4 is a top plan View of an umbrella table similar to that shown in FIG. 3, equipped with a modified form of device embodying the invention.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary detail taken substantially on the line 55 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary detail, in elevation, taken substantially along the line 66 of FIG. =1.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged detail, in section, taken substantially on the line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, it will be understood that in the embodiment herein disclosed, the reference character 11 indicates the top of a conventional picnic table, having legs 12, 13, 14, and 15, cross braces 16 and 17, and benches 18 and 19.

The table top 11, and each bench 18 and 19, is provided with covers 20, 21 and 22, each of which is constructed as hereinafter described.

The table cover 20, and each of the bench covers 21 and 22, is made of a sheet of suitable plastic material, which covers the table top or bench top, and extends downwardly around the outer edges thereof.

Each cover 20, 21 and 22 has an elastic element 23 (FIG. 7), stitched as at 24, along the inside face of the depending portion 25 of the cover which overhangs the edge of the table, or the bench, as the case may be.

The stitching 24 forms, gathers along the depending portion 25 of the cover. The gathering creates tension in the elastic element 23, so that the cover will snugly fit around the periphery of the table top, and hold the cover in tightly stretched condition on the table top.

It is within the contemplation of the invention to provide the top surface of the covering 20 with ornamental design patterns, which express outdoor motifs, such as fishing, boating, riding, swimming, and the like.

In addition to the elastic element 23, and the gathering 25, I provide further means for holding the cover 20 on the table top, as shown in FIG. 2.

In this embodiment I provide a pair of straps 26 and 27, which are stitched as at 28 in spaced relation to each corner, and along portions of the inside faces of the gathered portions 25. The straps 26 and 27 extend below the corners of the table top. The free ends of the straps 26 and 27, are secured together by means of snaps 29, or other suitable means.

In addition to the pairs of straps 26 and 27, underneath the corners of the table 11, I provide a pair of transverse straps 30 and 31, which extend under the table and are similarly stitched as at 28, and are secured together as at 32, with a snap fastener, or other suitable means.

From the foregoing it is obvious that the cover 20 will be held in a tightly stretched condition on the table top and may easily be washed or otherwise cared for without the danger of it being displaced from the table top.

Although I have described primarily the table cover 20, it will be understood that the covers 21 and 22 for the benches are similarly constructed.

In FIG. 3 I disclose a modified form of cover suitable for use with a round umbrella table 33, which has a central opening 34 for the insertion of an umbrella standard.

In this embodiment the cover 35 is provided around its periphery with an elastic and gathered portion as described in connection with the cover 20 (FIG. 1).

In this embodiment I provide three under the table straps 36, which are stitched as at 37 to the edge of the cut out 34, and are secured as at 38 by a glove fastener, or other suitable means, to the depending gathered portion 25.

In FIGS. 4 and 5, I show a further modified form of the invention, in which the metallic table top 39 is provided with a rolled edge 40, and the gathered portion 25 of the cover 41 is provided on its inside face with a plurality of permanent magnets 42, which are arranged in spaced relation, and when in contact with the rolled edge 40, of the table, hold the cover against displacement.

It is believed that the operation of the device is obvious from the foregoing description.

Having described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A table cover of the character described, comprising a sheet of plastic material having an elastic element secured thereto by gathering, parallel to and in spaced relation to its marginal edge and means to prevent its displacement from the table, said last named means including straps, each of which is arranged to be received under the top of said table and be secured to said sheet, at least at one end, by means of a snap fastener positioned adjacent said gathering.

2. A table cover of the character described, comprising'a sheet of plastic material having an elastic element secured thereto by gathering parallel to and in spaced relation to its marginal edge and means to prevent its displacement from the table, said sheet being round and has a cut out portion in the center, and said means for 3 preventing the displacement consisting of straps which 2,486,320 extend from the edge of said cut out portion to said 2 39 751 gathering. i 3 1 References Cited by the Examiner 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS 128,113

1,240,208 9/1917 Holtmeyer 150S2 1,384,908 7/1921 Lockwood 15O-52 .7 4 I I 10/1949 0st ..15052 5/1953 Flaherty 150S2 11/1964 Afiholter 150S2 FOREIGN PATENTS 5/1950 Sweden.

JOSEPH R.LECLAIR, Primary Examiner. 

1. A TABLE COVER OF THE CHARACTER DESCRIBED COMPRISING A SHET OF PLASTIC MATERIAL HAVING AN ELASTIC ELEMENT SECURED THERETO BY GATHERING, PARALLEL TO AND IN SPACED RELATION TO ITS MARGINAL EDGE AND MEANS TO PREVENT ITS DISPLACEMENT FROM THE TABLE, SAID LAST NAMED MEANS INCLUDING STRAPS, EACH OF WHICH IS ARRANGED TO BE RECEIVED UNDER THE TOP OF SAID TABLE AND BE SECURED TO SAID SHEET, AT LEAST AT ONE END, BY MEANS OF SAID SNAP FASTENER POSITIONED ADJACENT SAID GATHERING. 